Musharraf Escapes Bomb Blast In Pakistan

A powerful roadside bomb blast on Thursday hit Faizabad bridge just after the convoy of Pakistan’s former military ruler and ex-President Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf passed by it.

The bomb was planted as the convoy travelled from an army hospital where Musharraf has been staying since January to his home. Musharraf was not harmed in the explosion and there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing.

“Four kilograms of explosive device planted in a pipeline under a bridge exploded around 20 minutes before the former president was supposed to cross the spot,” senior police official Liaqat Niazi reportedly said.

The Pakistani general had survived multiple assassination attempts while he was in office. When he returned to the country last year, the Pakistani Taliban vowed to kill him.

The Taliban have also vowed to send a squad of suicide bombers to kill him, and security threats have prevented Musharraf from appearing at all but two of his treason hearings

Earlier this week, the former army chief was charged with five counts of treason over alleged constitutional violations during his time in power. However, Musharraf has denied the charges and says all the accusations against him are politically motivated.

Musharraf, who led Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, returned from self-imposed exile in Dubai in March last year to stand in general elections but was barred from taking part and has since faced a string of legal cases including treason.